父

fù

乂 + 八

Definitions

fù (noun) father

Etymology

Pictograph of a hand holding something. The exact nature of the object is unclear. Variously explained as a rod or a hatchet.

About

父 is a pictograph of a hand holding a rod or hatchet, symbolizing authority and the patriarchal role. The crossed strokes at the top depict the object, while the lower strokes represent the hand. It means father, male elder, or a patriarchal figure, and also serves as a radical in characters for male relatives and parental roles, conveying an authoritative older male presence in the family.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他是我的父亲。

Tā shì wǒ de fùqīn.

He is my father.

父母都很关心我。

Fùmǔ dōu hěn guānxīn wǒ.

Both parents care about me a lot.

父亲每天去上班。

Fùqīn měitiān qù shàngbān.

Father goes to work every day.

昨天我和父亲去了超市。

Zuótiān wǒ hé fùqīn qùle chāoshì.

Yesterday, I went to the supermarket with my father.

我深深感激父爱的伟大。

Wǒ shēnshēn gǎnjī fù'ài de wěidà.

I deeply appreciate the greatness of father's love.

虽然父亲话不多，但他总是支持我。

Suīrán fùqīn huà bù duō, dàn tā zǒngshì zhīchí wǒ.

Although father doesn't talk much, he always supports me.

在现代社会，父亲的责任发生了变化。

Zài xiàndài shèhuì, fùqīn de zérèn fāshēngle biànhuà.

In modern society, the responsibilities of fathers have changed.

父亲节那天，我们全家为父亲庆祝。

Fùqīn jié nà tiān, wǒmen quán jiā wèi fùqīn qìngzhù.

On Father's Day, our whole family celebrates for father.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 乂

Component: 八

Example Words